Restoring Littoral Rainforest Remnants on the Tweed Coast

Project Details . Location Tweed Local Government Area . Duration March 2010 to May 2011 . Partners Tweed Shire Council; Fingal Head Coast Care, Kingscliff, Casuarina, Cabarita Beach, Hastings Point and Pottsville Beach Dune Care associations Description Littoral rainforest (LRF) is listed as Endangered Ecological Community (ECC) under State and Federal threatened species legislation. In addition to its intrinsic value, LRF supports threatened plant species such as Stinking Cryptocarya (Cryptocarya foetida), Scented Acronychia (Acronychia littoralis), Coolamon (Syzygium moorei) and White Lace Flower (Archidendron hendersonii). LRF also provides habitat for threatened fauna including Common Planigale (Planigale maculata), Eastern Blossom Bat (Syconycteris australis), Grey-headed Flying Fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) and Superb Fruit Dove (Ptilinopus superbus). Within the Tweed Local Government Area past activities such as logging and clearing for sand-mining has had a significant impact on LRF. Only fragmented remnants remain comprising an area of about 100ha. Many of these remnants occur within Crown Reserves managed by Tweed Shire Council. These remnants are often bound by roads and residential developments; restricting further expansion and making them susceptible to invasive weed species. Aim / Objectives This project aimed to control threats within LRF remnants within the Tweed Local Government Area, initiating recovery through the natural regeneration of plant species and recovery of fauna habitat. The objectives were to:  Engage bush regeneration contractors to control weeds within remnants and encourage native species regeneration;  Inform residents living adjacent to LRF remnants of the threats to LRF and encourage practices to reduce threats;  Raise community and care groups awareness about the significance LRF on the Tweed Coast; and  Coordinate with other restoration and care group projects to get the best project outcomes. Approach This project primarily involved restoration works within 40ha of fragmented LRF remnants occurring along a 32km stretch of coastline from Fingal Head in the north to Wooyung in the south. The project also implemented weed control targeting Bitou Bush (a Weed of National Significance) over an additional 80ha, with control targeted in areas that buffered or were in close proximity to LRF remnants. NRM Outcome Key project outcomes include: 1. Reduced threat to LRF Endangered Ecological Community from environmental weeds particularly bird dispersed and garden weeds; 2. Reduced threat to four species of threatened plants occurring in LRF remnants at Fingal Head, Casuarina and Wooyung; 3. Increased awareness of residents living adjacent LRF remnants of the

significance of this ecological community and ways they can reduce their impact; and 4. Decreased incidence and density of Bitou Bush on the Tweed Coast, particularly in areas adjacent or in close proximity to LRF remnants. Key project outputs include:  Bush regeneration undertaken in 40ha of LRF and a further 80ha of Bitou Bush controlled;  1000 tube stock planted to expand LRF on Mooball Creek at Black Rocks;  One field day held at Norries Head LRF remnant, providing knowledge to 30 participants about the LRF Endangered Ecological Community; and  Six Dune and Coast Care groups supported in coastal natural resource management. Funding NRCMA provided $50,000; Tweed Shire Council provided $1,186 cash; $29,180 in- kind support and $15,000 from Environmental Trust Grant ‘Bush Futures’; Collective Dune Care groups provided $10,320 in-kind support. Current Status Due to the fragmented nature of LRF remnants and often their proximity to residential areas, invasive weeds will continue to be a problem. The dumping of garden waste, high edge to area ratio and use of remnants by frugivorous birds and bats means weeds will need to be controlled into the future. Tweed Shire Council has secured funding from the Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority to continue restoration of remnants for a further 12 months, controlling threats and engaging the local community in LRF conservation. Beyond this Council will continue to seek funding to ensure threats are controlled and the ecological integrity and future of LRF remnants on Council managed land on the Tweed Coast is secure. For further Tweed Shire Council Bushland Officer Tanya Fountain on (02) 6670 2787 or information [email protected]

Fingal quarry face weed control Treated Bitou Bush adjacent to LRF

Author: Tanya Fountain, Tweed Shire Council Bushland Officer